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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Mast Rake

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pegasus
1st Mate

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USA
65 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/14/2007 : 08:42:45

Hi Folks:

With my given stays, I can't tune my mast plumb. I have about a 7" - 8" aft rake measured at boom height. Anyone else have this condition? The 'books' say to tune your mast plumb, but I don't have enough play in my fore and back stays to permit this.

Also, I know our class doesn't have Loos guage specs on stay and shroud tension, but do you have any rough numbers you use when tuning your rig?

Thanks!!!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 09:17:05

With regard to the books, they're primarily talking about side-to-side (so she sails equally on both tacks). Some rake aft is desired on many boats. The question is, how does your helm feel? Aft rake tends to produce weather helm, and forward (or sometimes no) rake can produce lee helm--not desirable. Somewhere in that spectrum is neutral helm, but most sailors prefer a light weather helm (five degrees and two fingers to hold course). Racers say it makes the boat faster, and cruisers/daysailors like that if you let go, the boat eventually stops.

How does yours feel?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 09:31:12

You can add a toggle or two to the backstay.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 09:48:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pegasus
 ....The 'books' say to tune your mast plumb, but I don't have enough play in my fore and back stays to permit this.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The owner's manual for the 250 says to plumb the mast athwartships but to have a 4" rake aft. If that's the case for the 25, the toggles Frank suggested should make up the difference. Maybe a longer turnbuckle if such a thing exists.

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pegasus
1st Mate

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USA
65 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 09:51:33

Thanks guys; I have it plumb athwartship, but the back stay seems short - I'll look at an extension

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2007 : 11:33:04

7 to 8 inches of rake aft seems about right for the C25 standard rig - if you want to point high and go fast. My rig is the most raked in the entire Fleet 7 and I generally outpoint everyone. The key is weather helm. If the boat is reasonably balanced with your 155 genoa on in medium air (10 - 12 knots) I'd say it's OK.

This is what I call balanced (although I was flying my 135).

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.